LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 47
After enjoying a delightful meal, I decided to have a tea time with Lucius and Rosmas before gathering the items needed for the raid.
“Lucius. You must refrain from using the Holy Sword no matter what happens.”
“Pardon?”
“Even if something occurs, don’t use the Holy Sword. Do you understand? This is to protect you, but it’s also to protect this city.”
I couldn’t go into detail. I could only hope he would understand and believe, even with my vague explanation.
“Asydia is after the Holy Wind Sword. They’re dangerous enough to kill the townsfolk without hesitation for it.”
“…….”
It might have been a little cruel to poke at Lucius’s sensitive side, but he needed to be aware of this.
“It’s still risky to reveal the Holy Sword in a crowd. One day, that time will come, but not now.”
It had been less than a month since Lucius awakened as the Hero of the Holy Sword. While I could not mention a specific timeframe, one condition was essential.
“Lucius. Listen carefully. The only time you should reveal the Holy Sword in front of everyone is when….”
“When Master is in danger?”
“That’s true, but what I’m talking about is something different.”
I pointed to myself.
“If I have enough mana for the Teleport Magic to take you and your party away from people, and if the situation is one where only the Holy Sword can resolve it, then you can release the Holy Sword in front of the people.”
The aftermath.
In other words, fleeing.
“After you awakened the power of the Holy Sword, didn’t the townsfolk start crowding around immediately? It won’t just be one or two. Some will want your power, some will seek to take it from you, and others will wish for it to vanish.”
Those trying to utilize the Holy Sword.
Those desiring the power of the Holy Sword.
Those seeking revenge against the Holy Sword.
“Rosmas, what do you think? The Holy Wind Sword, which has appeared after 500 years. Don’t you think the elves will show a lot of interest?”
“W-What?!”
Rosmas appeared remarkably shocked.
“What are your thoughts?”
“W-Well, yes. Some elders among the elves believe that all the Holy Swords spread in the human world should be reclaimed and managed by elves.”
The Holy Sword is a tool.
If conditions are met, there’s no reason elves cannot use the Holy Sword.
“Indeed, the elves could seize all the Holy Swords and aim to unify the continent.”
“N-No way, elves wouldn’t do that!”
“Who knows.”
Having heard it directly, I thought Rosmas was definitely quite naïve.
“I will curse you, Demon King’s army! Someday, I will gather all the Holy Swords, destroy all of you, and rule over the traitorous humans!!!”
“Oh? Are the elves turning into the Demon King’s army now?”
“Shut up! We elves are the guardians of nature, protecting all forests…!!”
“If you’re going to kill everyone, why not start with the bugs gnawing at the branches? There are probably more bugs damaging trees than humans or orcs in the world.”
“Ugh…!!”
In the Elven Forest, there was a being named Ieyluna.
Through her, I came to learn of a plan held by the elves.
‘Humans and the current elves should genuinely be grateful to me.’
Because the Demon King’s army set fire to the Elven Forest, dismantling their organization, the elves’ earlier plan to conquer the world also fell through.
Killing all the demon race that damages nature and enslaving humans.
Having learned about the “social class system” from humans, the elves aimed to turn humans into slaves.
Even among elves over 500 years old, there are surely those with a desire for dominance and conquest.
“The Holy Wind Sword has appeared? …Send the guardians. Let’s proceed.”
If Ieyluna is alive, she will surely come to take the Holy Wind Sword.
It makes sense that the elves would want a Holy Sword filled with the power of natural mana, something each race should manage.
It’s the Holy Sword that can single-handedly turn the former hunter Lucius into the strongest knight capable of slaying the Demon King.
What if the elves had the Holy Wind Sword and shot it toward the sky like an arrow?
That would be like unleashing a destructive beam or orbital bombardment from the Sky Island of Satan in the Demon World.
Elves would have that power and, at the same time, try not to let it be used against them.
“In my opinion, the older elf elders will be covetous of the Holy Wind Sword that defeated the Demon King. Rather than control an unpredictable human, they would attempt to make an outstanding elf guardian the master of the Holy Sword.”
“Th-That wouldn’t….”
“You never know. Just because you’re an elf, the elves I know were entirely different from you.”
Rosmas is a woman with the innocence of a child.
It’s not a good idea to unload the truth about elves on such a woman.
“Well, not just elves, everyone will be after the Holy Sword. So, while I say it’s banned…don’t directly show the Holy Sword, alright?”
“Understood, Master. …Ah.”
Lucius seemed to have come to a realization.
“So what you wanted to tell me…”
“That’s right. It’s a technique that allows you to wield the Holy Sword’s power without having to draw it.”
When people think of the Holy Sword, they usually envision a dazzling sword shining with light, seeming impractical for actual combat.
However, the Holy Sword is basically the source of attribute mana, taking the form of a sword.
“Lucius. The power of the Holy Sword is already within you. How you handle it is the key.”
“…So you’re saying I should prioritize using the Holy Sword’s power in dangerous situations?”
“Exactly!”
That’s why it’s Lucius.
It’s fulfilling to teach him.
“Can you use the power of the Holy Sword now? Why don’t you try it once here?”
“I will try.”
Lucius stood up immediately.
Then—
“Winds—”
“Wait a moment. Don’t do that.”
That nearly went terribly wrong.
“Don’t say it recklessly.”
“Pardon? But if I don’t say it…”
“Create your own chant!”
“Chant?”
“Yes, chant. You are the user of the Holy Sword. What if someone hears that and tries to take it from you?”
“I-I wouldn’t let them!”
Rosmas waved her hands in denial.
“Why would I try to take Arthur’s power!”
“There could be someone who brainwashed Rosmas to unwittingly take the Holy Sword.”
The Demon King’s army often did such things.
Then Asydia would do something similar.
“In my time, a woman hero entrusted the Holy Sword to her beloved man, only to be betrayed by him and have the sword taken away.”
“W-What?!”
“She was a female hero. And the man wasn’t even a spy for the Demon King’s army. Yet, the Demon King’s army brainwashed this man and took it.”
“T-That’s impossible…!”
“That’s entirely possible.”
I made it possible.
“At that time, around the female hero, there were male companions who were superior to the man… I’ll say that as it has more impact. The man was just a burden to the party and was ostracized among the males.”
“That’s…”
“Then he fell ill and became weak, ending up having his body taken by the Demon King. The Demon King controlled the man’s body to take the Holy Sword from the female hero. The female hero was trapped, unable to use any power.”
“That’s absurd. Heroines are supposed to be strong, aren’t they?”
“Because she is a heroine. The female hero liked the man, and the man asked her to go to a secluded place for a moment.”
“Darling, you’ll love me forever, right…?”
“Of course. But hey, can I just touch the Holy Sword just once?”
“Oh, no….”
“A little more. Okay?”
“…J-Just a little more…?”
“Alright. Close your eyes. But how do you use the Holy Sword?”
“The Holy Sword is….”
“The man successfully drew out the Holy Sword from the female hero.”
“Phew! I finally pulled out the Holy Sword. This Holy Sword is now mine.”
“Oh, no! I can’t get my legs to move! You, you…! Was that your intention…!”
“Go back home. I’ll handle the Demon King’s castle alone. You suit being a wife better than being a hero.”
“D-Don’t go…! Please don’t leave me, sob!”
“If you love me, wait for me.”
“Aaaaaaah!!!”
And the man never returned again.
The Demon King obtained the Holy Sword, and the now non-heroine woman came alone to the Demon King’s castle, getting caught.
“D-Demon King! Give me back my man!”
“I’ve already taken him. Your man is now mine. Do you want him back?”
“P-Please give him back…!”
“I’ll return him if you tell me the activation phrase of the Holy Sword.”
“Gughhh…!! Promise to return my love…!”
Thus, I completely obtained the Holy Sword.
“Oh, let me tell you one more thing. The man you loved was actually me from the start.”
“W-What…?”
“I approached you disguised. From the beginning, you loved the Demon King! Hahaha! What a delightful expression, but wait, why are your clothes…? Stop that.”
“In the end, the female hero was left to remain in the Demon King’s castle.”
“As a captive? My goodness, that’s just cruel…”
“Well, because he was the Demon Lord.”
Truly a heinous act utilizing the heart of a human.
What happened after that?
I don’t know.
What does it matter?
I am the Demon King.
“Got it? So you must never show the Holy Sword recklessly to anyone. Do you understand, Lucius?”
“To anyone… Understood.”
“Good. If you really want to show it, only reveal it to someone you can trust your whole life with. Understand?”
“…Yes, understood.”
Thank goodness.
At least he seemed to understand a bit.
“Then… can I show it to Master?”
“To me?”
It’s Lucius’s Holy Sword.
“As for me, any time.”
*
At that moment.
By the lake in the northern Normans.
A massive Dimensional Door Magic Circle began to glow and take shape, while staff members from the Adventurer Guild checked the completion time with an hourglass and tidied up the surroundings.
A wooden fence was installed around the Dimensional Door to prevent enemies from rushing toward the townsfolk, though it would provide no real effect.
“Ah, nothing significant is going to happen.”
Crackle.
“…Huh?”
“You foolish humans.”
Flapping, flapping.
The demon, descending with crow-like wings, scoffed at the staff members of the Adventurer Guild.
“Are you trying to predict the opening time with the speed at which the magic circle is completed? Ha, do you think our Demon King wouldn’t have seen through that?”
Hoooonnng.
Before long, the magic circle was complete.
“Rapid casting. Surprised that it opened about 9 hours earlier than the scheduled time?”
Cackle.
“Sorry for betraying your expected time. What a pity. We didn’t set the appointment time anyway.”
“T-You coward!!”
“The Demon King’s army did what the Demon King’s army does.”
As the Dimensional Door opened, monsters began pouring out from within.
“Let’s go! March, Malphas’s Legion!”
Cawwww!!!
Countless Behemoths began to fly up into the sky from beyond the Dimensional Door.